Paper cutter with unicyclic drive means



June 16, 1964 A. RASKIN 3,137,189

PAPER CUTTER WITH UNICYCLIC DRIVE MEANS Filed May 31. 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 [N VEN TOR. 4 CH E '94 S KIN I BY I 61%776} K717 & /M er 4 I'TDrP/VEYS June 16, 1964 A. RASKIN 3, 7

PAPER CUTTER WITH UNICYCLIC DRIVE MEANS Filed May 31. 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 a F 4: l I IN V EN TOR. AfCl-l/E $45 I I BY June 16, 1964 A. RASKIN 3,137,139

PAPER CUTTER WITH UNICYCLIC DRIVE MEANS Filed May 31, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 a P INVENTOR.

AfC/l/E Pas m ATTOQNEYS June 16, 1964 A. RASKIN 3,137,189

PAPER CUTTER WITH UNICYCLIC DRIVE MEANS Filed May 51, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. flQCH/E Pas/ ml A T'T'OIPNEYS June 16, 1964 A. RASKIN PAPER CUTTER WITH UNICYCLIC DRIVE MEANS Filed May 31, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 mam IN V EN TOR. AQCHIE 'fAs v Y BY m /c4 5,7191% 147% 152/ 5 ,4 frog/vars York Filed May 31, 1960, Ser. No. 32,778 6 Claims. (Cl. 83205) This invention relates to an improved cutter and more particularly it pertains to a cutter which is operated by electrical power and has features which lend to easy and safe operation.

At present, conventional hand-operated paper cutters are constructed to require the use of both hands of the operator in the manipulation of the lever which forces the knife into cutting action. It does happen, however, that the operator is able to manipulate the operating handle with one hand, leaving the second hand free for the removal from or placement of paper at the cutting site. As a result, due to fatigue and other factors, accidents have occurred, resulting in serious injury to the hand of the operator.

The construction of paper cutters is carefully regulated by State laws in view of the seriousness of any accidents which may occur to the operator. In view of this fact and others, any automatic cutter would have to be designed with the view of providing maximum safety and flexibility of operation, and yet be commercially competitive with existing apparatus. Absent the safety factors, it would be difiicult to persuade the industry to utilize such cutters, and if the design were exorbitant in cost, there would be little or no incentive for the industry to adopt an automatic cutter.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a cutter which is operated by electrical power.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cutter which is operated by the electrical power and has safety features which render it easy and safe to handle.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description and explanation thereof.

i The cutter of the present invention involves an apparatus which includes a reset feature, one or two operating switches, and an electrical timer which permits the cutter to operate for a predetermined period of time only. The reset mechanism of the apparatus is a means of placing the cutter apparatus in condition for operation. The mechanical parts of the reset mechanism are operatively associated with a normally closed switch so that, for each cycle of operation, the mechanical parts will force the normally closed switch to open, thus breaking the electrical circuit which has in series the motor by which the knife of the cutter is operated. The cycle of operation includes the downward motion of the knife to its lowest position of travel and the upward rise of the same to its highest point of travel. The apparatus of this invention can be designed so that the knife cannot be operatedconsecutivelythrough several cycles of operation without adjusting first manually the reset mechanism between cycles.

As previously mentioned, one or two operating switches are employed for the operation. of the cutter. The operat- United States Patent O anism, the cutter apparatus also has an electrical timer connected thereto. The timer is arranged to be actuated immediately upon the depression or closure of one or both ing switches are electrically connected in series with the electrical motor which drives the knife of the cutter apparatus. If two operating switches are employed, they are connected in series with each other, thus requiring that each switch be actuated before the cutter can function.

By having two operating switches instead of one, the

of the operating switches mentioned above. The electrical timer is conventional in design. After a predeterminedtime has passed, it energizes a normally closed switch to an open position, and thus opens the electrical circuit containing the electric motor. In the construction of the cutter, the electrical timer is contained in a sealed unit to prevent tampering with the same during the life of the cutter.

In order to provide a better understanding of the pres ent invention, reference will be had to the following drawings which form a part of this specification and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an end view of the cutter apparatus, partly in cross section, showing the mechanism by which the knife is operated;

FIGURE 2 is a planar view of the cutter taken from the underside of the table upon which the cutting operation is conducted;

FIGURE 3 is another end view of the cutter, partly in cross section, of the same embodiment shown in the aforementioned figures;

FIGURE 4 is the same end view as shown in FIGURE 1 except that the position of the reset mechanism is different to illustrate the manner in which it functions;

FIGURE 5 is a view taken along lines 55 of FIG- URE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a detailed view of the reset mechanism;

FIGURE 7 is an isometric view of the upper side of the cutter including the gate and pressure bar;

FIGURE 8 is a detailed view taken along lines 88 of FIGURE 7; and

FIGURE 9 is a circuit diagram of the cutter mechanism.

In the drawings, referring partly to FIGURE 1, the

cutter 12 has legs 13 and 14 which are interconnected by means of a horizontal member 15. The legs have their upper ends fastened by suitable means to a table top 16, which has an upper surface 17 and sides 18 and 19. The mechanism by which the cutter blade 20 is operated is positioned below the table top 17 and is out of reach and not in view of the operator of the cutter. As shown in FIGURE 7, the cutter 12 has a housing 22 which is positioned above the table top 17 and in which is positioned the cutter blade or knife 20.

Referring to the mechanism shown particularly in FIG- URE 1, it can be seen that a knife connecting arm 24 is connected pivotally to the lower part of the' end ofthe blade 20 by means of a bolt 25. Bearings 26 and 27 are also connected to the ends of the blade 20, and these bearings are in turn situated between obliquely positioned guides 28-29 and 30-31, respectively. The positioning of the guides 28-31, inclusive, causes the knife 20 to move at an angle which in this example is about 45 relative to a vertical axis. The knife-connecting arm 24 is, in turn, connected to a T-shaped crank arm 33. One end 34 of the crank arm is pivotally mounted on the side of the table top 16, whereas the lower opposite end 35 is connected to a driver assembly 36. The length of travel or clearance of the knife 20 is manually adjusted by a mechanism associated with the driver assembly 36.

The adjustment mechanism includes an adjuster coupler 37 which has one end pivotally fastened to the end 35 of the crank arm and the other end threadably engaged with the end 38 of the driver connecting arm 39. The adjuster rod 40 is supported or guided within openings contained in lateral guides 41 and 42, which are integral dependent parts of the adjuster coupler 37. At one end of the adjuster rod 40 is mounted a gear 43 which is meshed with another gear 44 which, in turn, is mounted on the driver connecting arm 39. When the adjuster rod 40 is rotated Patented June 16, 1964 3 in either direction, it causes the driver connecting arm 39 to be threaded either in or out of the adjuster coupler 37 and, thereby reduces or increases the length of travel of the driver assembly 36 which, in turn, affects the clearance between the lower edge of the knife 29 and the table top 16. The connecting arm 39 is threadably engaged to a drive coupler 44a which is pivotally mounted on an eccentric stud 45 of a gear 46. Gear 46 is n1ounted on a shaft 47 which leads from a gear box and is meshed with a smaller driver gear 48. The driver gear 48 is, in turn, mounted on shaft 49 which leads from a gear box 50, the inside of which is not shown. The gear box is conventional in design and requires no further elaboration to those skilled in the art. A cam 51 projects laterally from the driver coupler 44a and plays animportant part in the operation of the reset mechanism which will be explained in greater detail hereinbelow.

Referring particularly to FIGURE 6 of the drawings, the reset mechanism includes an arm holder 53 which has its upper end pivotally mounted by means of pin 56 for side to side movement between brackets 54 and 55. The reset arm 57 is juxtaposed to arm holder 53 and is held in that position by means of an internal pin 58 which permits the reset arm 57 to pivot laterally in a plane transverse to the movement of the arm holder 53. A gravity rod 59 is fastened perpendicularly to the reset arm 57. When the lower end of the gravity rod 59 is tilted upward, the center of gravity is so changed that a moment is created forcing the reset arm to pivot back in position alongside the arm holder. A circular guide 61 is fastened to the lower end of the reset arm 57. The guide 61 makes contact once each cycle of operation with the cam 51 which is located on the driver coupler 44, and thus the reset arm 57 and holder 53 are pushed in the direction of push button switch 62. The push button switch 62 contains a button 63 which is pressed inwardly by the side of arm holder 53, thus causing a main electrical circuit to be discussed hereinbelow to be opened.

' The arm holder 53 contains a laterally disposed L- shaped arm 64'afl ixed to its upper end. A spring 65 has one end fastened to the arm 64 and the other end afiixed to a stop guide 66 which is positioned adjacently to the arm holder 53 and reset arm 57. The spring 65 maintains the arm holder 53 in alignment for contact with push button 63. Although-not shown, reset arm 57 contains a spring affixed to its reverse side which urges the reset arm in the same direction as spring 65. Referring to FIGURE 2, a reset button 67 is employed to urge the reset rod 68 into contact with the upper part of the reset arm 57 in the manner in detail in FIGURE 6.

Referring to FIGURE 6, the cam 51 forces the reset assembly consisting of the arm holder 53 and thereset arm 57 into contact with button 63 of the switch 62. In

this position, the electrical circuit is opened so that no power can flow to the motor 69 which operates the cutter. By pressing the reset button 67, the reset rod 68 forces the reset arm 57 to pivot thus bringing the circular guide 61 out of contact with the cam 51. Once the guide 61 is out of contact with the cam 51, button 63 resumes its normal position and the main circuit is then closed.

Referring to FIGURE 2, operating buttons 71 and 72 are positioned at opposite sides of thecutter as shown therein. The operating buttons 71 and 72 are part of the electrical circuit which includes two solenoids 73 and 74. The solenoids are part of a brake assembly. As to the brake assembly, a brake disc 77 is mounted on a shaft 76 of the motor 69. Brakes 78 and 79 are applied to the brake disc 77 at diametrically opposed positions. Brake 78 is carried on a pivotal brake arm 80, whereas brake 79 is carried on a pivotal brake arm 81. As shown in FIGURE 5,-the pivotal brake arm 86 is pivotally mounted on a bolt 82 which is fastened to the table top 16 and, similarly, pivotal brake arm 81 is pivotally mounted on a bolt 83 which is fastened to the table top 16. Pivotal brake arm 81 is essentially L-shaped and has a rectangularly-shaped piece 84 of magnetically soft iron laterally disposed therefrom by means of a bolt 85. Similarly, the pivotal brake arm 88 contains a rectangularlyshaped piece 86 of magnetically soft iron connected to its outer end by means of a bolt 87. Brake 79 is normally urged against the brake disc 77 by means of springs 88 and 89, whose ends are connected to the outer end of the pivotal arm 81 and the other ends are fastened to an L-shaped member 96 which has its other end affixed to the table top 16. Brake 78 is also normally urged against brake disc 77 by means of a spring 91, which has one end affixed to the end of the pivotal brake arm 80 and the other end affixed to the table top 16. When the solenoids 73 and 74 are energized, they rnagnetize the'iron pieces 84 and 86, thus causing the brakes 78 and 79 to disengage from the brake disc 77.

Referring to FIGURE 9, lines 93 and 94 are provided for connection with a source of electrical current. The circuit shown in this figure contains switches 95 and 96 which are actuated by operating button 71 (FIGURE 2) and switches 97 and 98 which are operated by operating button 72 (FIGURE 2). In the same circuit, the normall y closed push button switch 62 of the reset mechanism is in series relationshipwith switches-96 and 97. The solenoids 73 and 74 are connected in parallel with each other and in series with switches 96, 97 and 62. The electric motor 69 is similarly connected in parallel with solenoid coils 73 and 74 and in series with switches 95, 97 and 62. I j

The circuit is also arranged so that energization of an electric timer 99 may occur when either or both of operating buttons 71 and 72 are depressed for operation of the cutter. This is made possible by connecting switches 95 and 98 in parallel with each other and in series with the timer coil 99. When either operating button 71 or 72 is depressed, switch or 98 is closed, thus causing current to flow through whichever one is closed to the timer 99. The electric timer will function for a predetermined period of time and this can be varied to suit the needs of the operation. After the electric timer 99 has functioned for a predetermined time, it energizes contacts 103 which is also in series relationship with switches96, 97, 62 and motor 69. Upon energization of contacts 103, the circuit is opened and thus the cutter ceases to function. v I

It will be noted that the function of the electric timer 99 is independent of the reset mechanism or any other part of the mechanism. The timer 99 can be operated by depressing oneor both of the operating buttons, and in the event that one of the operating buttons is actuated, the timer will function for a predetermined time and then open the main circuit. Consequently, with this arrangement it is not possible for an operator to jam one of the operating buttons and use the remaining operating button as a means of bringing the cutter into operation because the contacts 193 would remain open as long as the timer 99 was energized. Since paper cutters are potentially dangerous instruments, it is desirable to have this type of safety feature to prevent accidents from occurring.

Referring to FIGURE 7 of the drawings, a pressure bar 105 containing lateral extensions 106 at the base thereof, is raised or lowered by means of the hand wheel 107, which is located above the housing 22 of the cutter. The details of construction are shown in FIGURE 8, and from this drawing it can be seen that the hand wheel 107 1 is aifixed to a threaded bolt 108 which, in turn, engages a threaded extension 109 which is formed integrally with a lateral part of the pressure bar 105. By turning the wheel 187, it is possible to raise or lower the pressure bar 105 as desired for the operation of the cutter. The movement'of the pressure bar 105 is guided by means of a guide plate 110 which is bolted in a vertical position to the housing 22. Referring to the detail construction of the knife 20, as shown in FIGURE 8, it can be seen that the lower part thereof consists of a blade 112 which is fastened to the blade holder 113 by means of a screw 114. The knife is of conventional construction and requires no further elaboration here.

Referring to FIGURE 3, it will be seen that on the rear end of the table top 17 of the cutter there is positioned a movable gate 116; The gate 116 is moved back and forth by means of a feed screw 118 which is operated manually by means of a handle 119. The feed screw 118 is threadably engaged with a lower internally threaded part 120 of the gate 116. The threaded part 120 of the gate assembly 116 is positioned below the table top 17.

Just above the position of the threaded part 120 is a gate guide 121, which is slidably mounted on a rod 122 which extends the full length of a channel 125 in the table top 17; The sides of the table top, forming the channel 125, serve as additional guides for the upper part 126 of the guide member 121.

In the operation of the paper cutter, the reset button 67 is actuated, forcing the rod 68 against the upper part of the reset arm 57 and thus disengaging the guide 61 from the cam 51 of the operating arm 36. 'The push button 63 is then in a normal position which means that the switch is normally closed. After the reset mechanism has been properly positioned for operation, the operating buttons 71 and 72 are depressed, thereby energizing the solenoids 73 and 74 and thereby causing the electromagnetic armatures 84 and 85 to be attracted thereto. By attracting the armatures 84 and 85, the brake arms 80 and 81 are pivoted away from the brake discs 77. These brake arms are normally biased in the direction of the brake disc 77 by virtue of the springs 88, 89 and 91. Once the brakes 78 and 79 have been disengaged from the face of the brake discs 77, the motor is free to rotate. Upon depressing the operating buttons 71 and 72, the electric timer is immediately put into operating and for this particular example, it means that the cutter cannot function for a period longer than 5 seconds. Within the 5 seconds provided by the electric timer, the electric motor drives the driver gear 48 which, in turn, causes the larger gear 46 to rotate and, by virtue of the eccentric positioning of the connecting arm 39 thereon, the latter forces the downward movement of the knife 20 through the mechanical linkages of the crank arm 33 and the connecting arm 24.

Although one complete rotation of the gear 46 requires slightly less than 5 seconds, it is still possible for a complete cycle of operation to take place before the electric timer opens the main circuit. An additional safety feature which would preclude continuous cycling of the knife involves the reset mechanism. Referring to FIGURE 4, as the connecting arm 39 revolves by virtue of the rotation of gear 46, cam 51 will engage the guide 61. As soon as this happens, the reset arm 57 and holder 53 are forced against the push button 63, thus opening the circui-t. Consequently, if the electric timer should not function, then the reset mechanism will automatically shut off the cutter at the end of one operation. Similarly, if the reset mechanism fails to operate, the electric timer will shut off the operation at the end of the predetermined S-seoond period.

As soon as electric current ceases to flow through the main circuit, the solenoids 73 and 74 are no longer energized, resulting in the brakes 78 and 79 being biased against the disc 77 In the event that the operator should remove his hand from one of the operating buttons 71 and 72, this would cause one or both solenoids and the motor to be de-energized, resulting in one of the brakes 78 and 79 being forced against the brake disc 77 and causing the electric motor to stop.

I claim:

1. An apparatus comprising a knife means, an electrical power means adapted to drive the knife means, mechanical means including a connecting rod and a cam disposed thereon, said rod connecting said power means to said knife means to operate the latter, said mechanical means being adapted to provide up and down motion for the knife means, a reset means including an arm holder, a reset arm adjacently disposed in pivotal relationship with the arm holder, an electrical switch positioned to be actuated by movement of the arm holder and electrically connected to said power means to control the flow of electrical energy thereto, and a guide means connected to the reset arm and arranged to engage the aforesaid cam, said cam being so disposed on the connecting rod to engage said guide means upon completion of each cutting stroke, whereupon the electrical switch is actuated during each cycle of the knife means thereby causing the electrical power means to be discontinued, said electrical power means including a first and second manually operated electrical switches, which, when operated, cause operation of the mechanical means and an electrical timer being interconnected therewith electrically in such manner that each manually operated switch can energize the same, said timer having electrical contacts which, after a predetermined period of time following energization of the timer are actuated to discontinue the supply of electrical energy to the electrical power means and thereby terminate the operation of the knife means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 being further characterized by the reset means having the arm holder adjacent to the electric switch and capable of side to side movement whereby the electrical switch is depressed, the said reset arm is capable of moving side to side with the arm holder and is also pivotal at right angles to the arm holder, the arm holder is normally out of contact with the electric switch until the guide means engages the cam thus causing the knife to cease operating, a reset rod being positioned to engage the reset arm and causing the same to pivot perpendicularly to the arm holder and thereby disengaging the guide means from the cam and removing the arm holder from contact with the electrical switch.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electrical power means comprises an electrical motor, brake means associated with the motor whereby the latter is normally prevented from rotating, solenoid means being in electrical relationship with the motor whereby when the same are energized the brake means are disengaged from the motor and the latter is free to rotate.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the solenoid means are de-energized when the electrical timer disrupts the power to the motor.

5. An apparatus comprising a knife means, an electrical power means including a motor, brake means operatively associated with the motor to maintain the same normally out of operation, solenoid means connected electrically with the motor to be energized only while said motor is energized and providing for disengagement of the brake means from the motor, an electrical timer having a coil and having normally-closed contacts controlled by said coil and connected electrically in series with the motor and the solenoid means such that at a predetermined period of time after the timer is energized, its said contacts open and the flow of electrical energy to the motor is discontinued, and manually-operated, normally-open switch means electrically connected in series with said coil of said timer whereby the electrical timer is placed in operation by closing said switch means, and mechanical means whereby the mechanical energy supplied by the motor is employed in operation of the knife means, said mechanical means including a connecting arm carrying a cam thereon and connecting said motor to said knife means, a reset assembly comprising an arm holder disposed for side to side pivotal movement, a reset arm disposed adjacently to the arm holder and capable of side to side pivotal movement and connected pivotally to said arm holder such that the reset arm can pivot in a perpen dicular direction With respect to the arm holder, a guide member being connected to the reset arm and arranged to engage the cam during each cycle of the knife means, a safety switch disposed for engagement with the arm holder when the guide and cam are engaged,vthe safety 6. An apparatus comprising a knife, an electrical motor for providing mechanical energy for the operation of said knife, mechanical brake means to engage said motor and to hold the same stopped, a pair of solenoids connected to said brake means to release the braking pressure when said solenoids are energized, a normally-closed safety switch electrically connected in series with both of said solenoids and with said motor, a pair of double-pole, manually-operated, normally-open switches, one pole of one of said manually-operated switches being electrically connected in serieswith one pole of the other of said manually-operated switches and with said safety switch, the other pole of said one manually-operated switch being electrically connected in parallel with the other pole of the other of said manually-operated switches to form a 25 parallel circuit, a timer having a coil and having normallyclosed contacts actuated by said coil, said timer coil being connected in series with said parallel circuitto be energized when either of said manually-operated switches is operated, whereby said timer contacts open up'at a predetermined time after the first one of said manuallyoperated switches is operated, said timer contacts being connected electrically in series with said safety switch, and mechanical means for utilizing the mechanical energy of said motor in the operation of said knife, said mechani cal means comprising a cam actuating said safety switch to open the same at the end of each cycle of operation of said knife to de-energize said solenoids and said motor and thereby to operate said brake, and mechanical reset means mechanically connected to said safety switch to reclose the same prior'to initiation of the next operating cycle of said knife.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,334,137

Wagner News, 1943 2,572,272 McLagan Oct. 23, 1951 2,633,195 Rupp 1 Mar. 31, 1953 2,783,843 Seybold Mar. 5, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS Canada Aug. 18, 1959 

1. AN APPARATUS COMPRISING A KNIFE MEANS, AN ELECTRICAL POWER MEANS ADAPTED TO DRIVE THE KNIFE MEANS, MECHANICAL MEANS INCLUDING A CONNECTING ROD AND A CAM DISPOSED THEREON, SAID ROD CONNECTING SAID POWER MEANS TO SAID KNIFE MEANS TO OPERATE THE LATTER, SAID MECHANICAL MEANS BEING ADAPTED TO PROVIDE UP AND DOWN MOTION FOR THE KNIFE MEANS, A RESET MEANS INCLUDING AN ARM HOLDER, A RESET ARM ADJACENTLY DISPOSED IN PIVOTAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ARM HOLDER, AN ELECTRICAL SWITCH POSITIONED TO BY ACTUATED BY MOVEMENT OF THE ARM HOLDER AND ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED TO SAID POWER MEANS TO CONTROL THE FLOW OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY THERETO, AND GUIDE MEANS CONNECTED TO THE RESET ARM AND ARRANGED TO ENGAGE THE AFORESAID CAM, SAID CAM BEING SO DISPOSED ON THE CONNECTING ROD TO ENGAGE SAID GUIDE MEANS UPON COMPLETION OF EACH CUTTING STROKE, WHEREUPON THE ELECTRICAL SWITCH IS ACTUATED DURING EACH CYCLE OF THE KNIFE MEANS THEREBY CAUSING THE ELECTRICAL POWER MEANS TO BE DISCONTINUED, SAID ELECTRICAL POWER MEANS INCLUDING A FIRST AND SECOND MANUALLY OPERATED ELECTRICAL SWITCHES, WHICH WHEN OPERATED, CAUSE OPERATION OF THE MECHANICAL MEANS AND AN ELECTRICAL TIMER BEING INTERCONNECTED THEREWITH ELECTRICALLY IN SUCH MANNER THAT EACH MANUALLY OPERATED SWITCH CAN ENERGIZE THE SAME, SAID TIMER HAVING ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH, AFTER A PREDETERMINED PERIOD OF TIME FOLLOWING ENERGIZATION OF THE TIMER ARE ACTUATED TO DISCONTINUE THE SUPPLY OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY TO THE ELECTRICAL POWER MEANS AND THEREBY TERMINATE THE OPERATION OF THE KNIFE MEANS. 